Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-07-20
ROANOKE.
THE PLACE IN WHICH THE coNvEE.
TON MEETS.
Its ACKNOWLEDGMENT Will Be Well
Taken Care Of Improvements-
Railroad Connections.
Correspondence Of the Richmond Dispa,ch.l

Convention on the 4th of August next
has brought il prominently before the
people OF Virginia, it may not be amiss
TO give brief sketch of Roanoke for
the information of all interested and to
correct erroneous impressions as to its
size and importance. Until the COM
pletion Of the Shenandoah Valley rail
road, about five years ago, this place
was known ais Big Lick, way
station Of some importance on the
Norfolk and Western, or, as it was
formerly called, the Atlantic, Mis-
sissippi and Ohio railroad With
the completion of the Shenandoah
Valley railroad, the name was
changed to Roanoke. The establish
ment of the offices OF the two above
mentioned roads here and the erection
of the Roanoke Machine-Works soon
followed, and from that time, with the
exception of lull about two years ago,
the business and population have
steadily increased, until now there are
between nine and ten thousand people
here and city as handsome and pro
gressive ms any OF its size and age in the
United States. There are four first
class hotels here-Hotel Roanoke, the
City Hotel, Hotel Felix. and the Com
mercial House. Besides these there
are seven boarding. houses, with accom-
modations equal to any to be found
elsewhere, and a number of other
places where good fare and comfortable
lodgingcan be obtained. Like all other
rapidly growing places, the cost of living
is greater than in older and less ener-
petic communities, but work is pleu-
tiful and wages are good, which coun-
terbalances any seeming disadvantage IN
This regard. The Roanoke Machine
Works give employment to about nine
hundred men and there are about three
hundred clerks employed in the rail
road offices. There are four large tobac-
co.factories. two planing-mills, an ice
factory nearly completed, steel and
iron-works, a good fiouring-Inill, and
numerous other smaller private indus
tines.
The city is well lighted with gas and
well supplied with water fresh from a
spring in the mountains, but in order
TO meet the demands Of its rapid growth
the water-woTks company are con
structing n reservoir capable of hold
ing 100000 gallons and with a
pressure that will carry water
fifty feet above the highest point
in the city. The charter of street
railway has been granted, and a court
house that will cost $i4, 900 is now one
third completed. The principal streets
are macadamiZed, and substantial side
walks of brick or boards extend over
every thoroughfarc. Some of the bust
ness-bouses are as large and handsome
ms those of any other city, and many
Of the private residences are models OF
taste and elegance. The people are
mostly Nirginians and Pennsylyanlans,
and more liberal, progressive, and pub
Hcspirited citizens cannot be found
anywhere. They are hospitable and
charitable-truc representatives, of that
class which is making the Masterpieces
of the fair southern land to blossom
like the rose. There are seven churches,
each with large membership and all
well attended The Sabbath IS strictly
observed, nothing being sold on that
day but medicines.
The city is nestled among the foot
hills Of the mountains, about half a
mile from Roanoke river, and is well
drained and hcalthfui. Its elevation
removes it from the oppressive heat OF
cities of lesser altitude, and renders
the nights AS a rule cool and pleasant.
Roanoke is fifty-three miles southwest
of Lynchburg, one hundred and sixty
seven miles from Petersburg, and one
hundred and eighty-seven miles from
Richmond. Bristol. on the Tennessee
border, is one hundred and fifty-one
miles away. but first class railroad com
munication is established with all OF
these cities, and the construction of the
Roanoke and Southern railway, upon
which preliminary work has already
been commenced, will open direct travel
and trade with North Carolina, South
Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. The
proposition of Philadelphia capitalists
10 erect a rolling mill here has been &C.
cepted by the people, and negotiations
to that end are in progress.
1t must not be forgotten that the pc
lice force is well-disciplined and ath
letic body of men that there is fine
military company here, and volunteer
fire company, which for efficiency anC
energy cannot be excelled. Themean'
for combating the rayages OF the fire
fend are a good steam engine and the
pressure from the water-works. The
public schools of the city, too, Ough'
not to be forgotten. They are under
the management of Professors Graybil
and Phelps, with an admirable corps O
assistants, and have earned a well-de
served reputation for thoroughness II
the course Cf instruction.
There are many other features OF IN
terest in this magnetic city which must
be deferred to some other communica
ton in order that brief outline of i'm
mediate happenings may be given.
The Democrats Of this city have or
ganized and are making thorough pre-
parations to give the delegates to The
State convention O cordial reception
Accommodation for six hundred have
already been provided, and the Com
mittee on Reception are confident tha
places for six hundred more can b(
easily secured.
Judge Blair, of the Roanoke Circuit
Court, will hold an adjourned term OF
the Goth of July to make arrangement:
for the transfer of the Shenandoah
Valley railroad to the Norfolk ano
Western Railroad Company.
The sale of the Martin zinc-and-silvel
mine TO an English syndicate for 5000,
600 was not consummated, but Colone
Elzenhoefer, of Cincinnati, practice
mineralogist, has put up extensive ma
chinery at the mine, and is now ex
tracing argentiferous galena, which as
saws si25 in silver to the ton. AS tn
vein from which this is taken is tru'
fissure, and three feet wide, it is be
ieyed the quantity there is immense.
Recent discoveries of gold i'll Mont
pomery county are exciting much in
ferest. Several gentlemen Of this cit,
have invested in the project to worl
the mines.
The bridge on the nsrrow-gauge rail
road over Roanoke ryer has been re
paired, and the shipment of iron or
from the Rorer mines will begin a